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Tweaks for systems, rooms and Do It Yourself (DIY) help. FAQ.

RE: Output capacitor upgrade with 1/2 original µF value.

Since halving the value of the coupling cap will reduce bass response, in that the -3db point for low frequencies will double, the persons making that judgement might have liked it because the system to which they were listening may have rumble or other low frequency noise that is ameliorated by reducing bass response. (For example, if the -3db point was originally 20 Hz, it would be 40Hz if you halve the value of the coupling cap.) Why a tantalum capacitor would sound better than an electrolytic at frequencies above the cut-off point is just a matter of someone's opinion and of the particular capacitors under comparison, plus the above reasoning re noise. Neither type is desirable as an output coupling capacitor, at any time in any gear, IMO. On the other hand, one of the popular budget phono stages is said to use tantalum capacitors and has received and still receives many favorable reviews. Go figure. I have no opinion on that product, because I've never heard it, but if it could not be improved by the use of good film capacitors, I would be very surprised.

If you do choose to play with tantalum capacitors, be aware that the consequences of connecting them up incorrectly with respect to polarity, or subjecting them to a DC voltage beyond the rated value, are spectacular; they blow up explosively and then catch fire. Don't ask me how I know.


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  • RE: Output capacitor upgrade with 1/2 original µF value. - Lew 12:26:55 11/17/14 (0)

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